Kids aren't thinking about whether they should wear helmets or check their bike's brakes. Help them learn the rules of bicycle safety.

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For school-age kids, getting a bike can be a rite of passage, a ticket to mobility and independence. But with independence should come responsibility. Your youngsters need to learn bike safety. And that means knowing the rules, both yours and your community's, and knowing how to keep their bikes stay in top working order.

Don't expect an easy time of it. "The single biggest problem in keeping kids safe on bikes is that they simply are not worried about it at all," says Seth Capron, co-founder of the Third Ward Bike Shop, a Houston-based nonprofit youth bike education program.

Basics of Bike Safety for Kids: Helmets and Maintenance

Helmets. Make sure your child wears one. "Helmets are proven to decrease death and crippling injury," says Ken Haller, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

One way to stress the importance of bike safety for kids is to wear a bike helmet yourself. Dr. Haller says that modeling good behavior is more effective than just telling kids to wear helmets. "If you don't wear your helmet when you ride, it's not reasonable to expect your kids to wear theirs," he says.

Capron agrees. "Kids need to know that the adults in the community are watching," he says. "Otherwise, the helmet will end up hanging from their handlebars as soon as they are around the corner."

And, if your child leaves the helmet behind because it's uncomfortable, call your local hospital. Some hospitals have free or low-cost programs on bike safety for kids where you can check to see if your child's helmet fits properly.

Maintenance. Don't be tempted to treat your kid's bike as a toy. Maintenance is an important part of bicycle safety for kids. "When a bike is neglected, steering and braking can suffer," Capron says.

Regular maintenance is pretty straightforward: Keep the chain clean and oiled, tires properly inflated, and check to make sure no parts are loose like wheels, brakes, or handlebars.

Bike Safety for Kids: Where to Ride

For the under-10 set, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends riding on the sidewalk. Make sure your child is aware of dangers at driveways and street crossings and remind your child that it's the bicyclist's job to avoid pedestrians on the sidewalk, not the other way around.

For older kids, the road is safe if they can follow the rules. "Being predictable near cars is the best way to prevent accidents," Capron says. This means stopping at stop signs, going the right way on one-way streets, not weaving in and out of traffic, and not turning suddenly. Remember, too, that cars don't always behave predictably. Riding defensively and paying attention are essential.

Bike Safety for Kids: The Law

Many states treat bike riders the same as car drivers, meaning they have to obey the same laws as car drivers, such as stopping at red lights. Also, many states require children to wear helmets and put safety equipment, such as reflectors, on their bikes.

Parents can often be held liable for the actions of their children, so check with your local bike advocacy group to learn about the laws in your area. Being informed is another key part of ensuring bicycle safety for kids.

Bike Safety for Kids: The Parents' Role

Haller recommends joining your kids on a bike ride from time to time. You can use this opportunity to make sure they're obeying the rules of the road and that they have good control of the bike. If they have trouble steering or braking, it could mean the bike needs maintenance, or that your child needs more practice. Encouraging your child to remember these points could make all the difference.

Capron adds that just a little bit of care can help you and your kids avoid bike injuries. "Biking is a great way for people of all ages to have fun, get exercise, save on fuel costs, and enjoy being outside," he says.

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